Enhanced drivers license

FYI don’t put it off if you’re going to get an enhanced license or real ID. It took over 2.5 months to get mine. The closer to the deadline the uglier it’s going to get I would guess.

Yes my wife is going through this right now. It’s a nightmare

2.5 months? My wife went to the DMV and took a new picture, 2 weeks later the new license was in the mailbox. The DMV also told us that they were going to be sending them out automatically before the deadline.

And FYI….
Know unimportant things like yours and your Mom and Dads birthcities…..

My wife did hers (WI) like two weeks ago, no major issue at the DMV and had new license in week or so.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

2.5 months? My wife went to the DMV and took a new picture, 2 weeks later the new license was in the mailbox. The DMV also told us that they were going to be sending them out automatically before the deadline.

poomunk wrote:

My wife did hers (WI) like two weeks ago, no major issue at the DMV and had new license in week or so.

I think this applies only to MN DMV, and the $100m+ new IT system Dayton implemented.

The FW and I have passports, so we’re just gonna ride it out.

I renewed my MN DL to a Real ID in October and got my new license in the mail in about 2 months, which is about how long they told me it would take. It’s a good idea plan ahead before you visit your local license center/DMV so you know what identification materials you’ll need to bring, depending on what you’re getting and what you currently have available.

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/real-id/Pages/required-documents.aspx

Keep in mind, if you have a valid passport you do not need to have a Real ID or Enhanced DL.
An Enhanced Driver’s License is a step up from the Real ID with the addition that it allows Minnesota residents to re-enter the US at its land or seaports when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

There’s a difference between the enhanced license and the real ID. I did the real ID about a year ago and took less than 2 weeks to get the card. Since the enhanced license requires more paperwork and information I think that takes more time.

Sharon wrote:

Keep in mind, if you have a valid passport you do not need to have a Real ID or Enhanced DL.
An Enhanced Driver’s License is a step up from the Real ID with the addition that it allows Minnesota residents to re-enter the US at its land or seaports when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

The funny thing is I was going to get the enhanced DL but evidently my current passport, current DL, and a utility bill showing current address still wasn’t enough info for them. So ridiculous.

blank wrote:

The funny thing is I was going to get the enhanced DL but evidently my current passport, current DL, and a utility bill showing current address still wasn’t enough info for them. So ridiculous.

It was harder for me to get my enhanced driver’s license in MN than it was to get my passport. Like you said, so ridiculous.

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>blank wrote:</div>
The funny thing is I was going to get the enhanced DL but evidently my current passport, current DL, and a utility bill showing current address still wasn’t enough info for them. So ridiculous.

It was harder for me to get my enhanced driver’s license in MN than it was to get my passport. Like you said, so ridiculous.

3 trips and a total of about 5 hours and still no EDL. Every time it’s something new I didn’t have….

blank wrote:

The funny thing is I was going to get the enhanced DL but evidently my current passport, current DL, and a utility bill showing current address still wasn’t enough info for them. So ridiculous.

Correct. You didn’t bring enough documents. Most people will need at least four documents and some will need five if you’ve ever had a name change.

For the Real ID or Enhanced DL you’ll need 1 document from List A, 1 document from list B, and 2 documents from list C. Below are the most common documents that can be used:

List A (one item):
~ Valid, unexpired US Passport or Passport Card
~ Certified copy of your birth certificate

List B (one item):
~ Social Security Card (cannot be laminated)
~ Federal Form W-2
~ Computer-printed US employment paystub with your name, current address, and SS # printed on it

List C (two items needed):
~ Valid, unexpired MN Driver’s license or ID (must have current address)
~ Home utility services bill issued no more than 90 days ago
~ Bank Account Statement OR a Credit Card Statement
~ Employment Paystub issued no more than 90 days ago (must list the employer’s name, address, and phone #)

Hope this helps anyone looking to renew!

When I talked with a nice person at my DMV – She talked me into going a different route than the Enhanced DL. This is only if you have or are getting a passport. Along with the paper passport for an additional 25.00 you can get a passport ID CARD. This card is Real ID compliant. It also works for entry into both Canada and Mexico and I believe most Caribbean countries. Its is also good for 10 years. I believe the Real id is only good for 3 or 4 years. So cost wise the Passport ID is a far greater value – I went that route instead of the enhanced DL

munchy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>blank wrote:</div>
The funny thing is I was going to get the enhanced DL but evidently my current passport, current DL, and a utility bill showing current address still wasn’t enough info for them. So ridiculous.

It was harder for me to get my enhanced driver’s license in MN than it was to get my passport. Like you said, so ridiculous.

3 trips and a total of about 5 hours and still no EDL. Every time it’s something new I didn’t have….

I think it’s so ridiculous that a valid passport that will get you anywhere around the world regardless of mode of transportation, isn’t good enough to get you the card that only gives you land and sea re-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

blank wrote:

I think it’s so ridiculous that a valid passport that will get you anywhere around the world regardless of mode of transportation, isn’t good enough to get you the card that only gives you land and sea re-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

It is good enough. You just also need an item from list B and two from list C.

I waited forever for my EDL but did get it eventually. I wanted EDL because my passport is expired and we don’t have any plans to travel in/out of the country except to Canada for fishing. So the EDL was perfect for me, in theory.

I’m the guy who reads ALL the instructions and shows up with ALL of the required documents. I brought all the necessary stuff the first time and they accepted/processed my application the first time. Then I waited for nearly 2 months and got a letter in the mail saying my application was temporarily rejected because of a missing document. The missing document in question was my current un-expired driver’s license. You know, the one they clipped when I submitted my application in the first place? They wouldn’t have accepted the application without that valid license being present, so no idea how that happens. Anyway, I just had to go back to the DMV with my old license, they fax it in, and I got my EDL a couple weeks later.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

The FW and I have passports, so we’re just gonna ride it out.

Hopefully your dl won’t expire prior to your ride.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Hopefully your dl won’t expire prior to your ride.

I have 2 years left on my DL, so hopefully they have this clusterf*** figured out by then.

Being self employed Im a little concerned what its going to take to get mine. All the utility bills are in the wifes name. I dont get a w-2. Dont even have a bank account with my name out it. Sounds like I should get started early on this.

I renewed my enhanced license in early December and still haven’t got the new one.

Went into the Superior DMV last week @ 8:30 was the first one – in and out in 10 minutes with a paper license – 4 days later received the new license.

I have a passport that I keep current. I was told when I renewed my license this Fall to go with the cheapest version of the DL that is offered as long as I plan to keep a passport active. The passport card mentioned above is what I’d imagine more and more people will go to.

One would think we cannot be that far off from a card that can show every license you have with all endorsements, whether or not you have a valid passport, and any outdoor licenses or carry permits you have. I’d willingly pay a substantial amount for that card if it was only renewed every 5-10 years and was all I ever had to carry to travel throughout the world. I’m assuming I’ll be long dead by the time a government can get behind such a convenient, accountable idea though.

Even though my passport still has some years left on it (4-5?), I opted for the enhanced (commercial).

I think it was like $15(?) more. Now I won’t have to remember to bring my passport for trips to the north border.

Worth the convenience to me.

It took all of 10-11 weeks to get (MN).

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brian Klawitter wrote:</div>
Hopefully your dl won’t expire prior to your ride.

I have 2 years left on my DL, so hopefully they have this clusterf*** figured out by then.

I think the deadline is this fall to switch.

My wife just did this. It took her 20 minutes to get the right documents together (including the name change info from when we got married) and less time than that at the DMV. Getting the right documents together is the only hard part so far as I can tell. I suppose she could complain that it will take two or three months to get the license, but that seems like not such a big deal since the change is still 9 months away.

……why even get a driver license or a passport?

When I watch “Live PD” on A&E, 9 out of ten people pulled over – DO NOT even have a DL…..and I wonder how many never stopped to show their papers at our US borders.

B-man wrote:

I think the deadline is this fall to switch.

I have a valid passport, so I don’t believe that I need to upgrade to a Real ID until my standard DL expires.

Who needs a Real ID or Enhanced ID?

It depends on where people go and what other identification documents they have. Anyone 18 or older will need a Real or Enhanced ID — or a passport or a passport card — to board a domestic flight or visit a federal facility starting in October 2020. Travelers who are under 18 do not need the new ID cards.

Standard driver’s licenses and state ID cards will remain valid forms of ID for driving and activities such as cashing checks, Gordon said. Minnesotans who won’t fly or visit federal facilities can still use their standard driver’s licenses. New standard licenses will be marked with the words “Not for Federal Purposes.”

This is why I gave the warning, because I can’t imagine how many people are going to be turned away trying to fly somewhere in October because they either waited too long to apply for one, or claimed ignorance and show up with the MN standard DL. It most likely will be a crap storm. I filed for mine November 15th and I got it on Saturday.

john23 wrote:

My wife just did this. It took her 20 minutes to get the right documents together (including the name change info from when we got married) and less time than that at the DMV. Getting the right documents together is the only hard part so far as I can tell. I suppose she could complain that it will take two or three months to get the license, but that seems like not such a big deal since the change is still 9 months away.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>B-man wrote:</div>
I think the deadline is this fall to switch.

I have a valid passport, so I don’t believe that I need to upgrade to a Real ID until my standard DL expires.

Who needs a Real ID or Enhanced ID?

It depends on where people go and what other identification documents they have. Anyone 18 or older will need a Real or Enhanced ID — or a passport or a passport card — to board a domestic flight or visit a federal facility starting in October 2020. Travelers who are under 18 do not need the new ID cards.

Standard driver’s licenses and state ID cards will remain valid forms of ID for driving and activities such as cashing checks, Gordon said. Minnesotans who won’t fly or visit federal facilities can still use their standard driver’s licenses. New standard licenses will be marked with the words “Not for Federal Purposes.”

Correct. No one has to upgrade to the Real ID or Enhanced DL. Beginning Fall 2020 you only need to upgrade to one or the other if you wish to fly, enter certain federal facilities, etc. and this is only if you do not have a current passport or passport card.